How-to
How to Check FSSAI Licence Online (Verify Any Number)
Complianceer Team · Sep 3, 2026 · 5 min read
How to check and verify an FSSAI licence number online on FoSCoS and the Food Safety Connect app, read the 14-digit number, and spot fake or expired licences.
Quick answer: To check an FSSAI licence online, open the FoSCoS FBO search or licence verification page at foscos.fssai.gov.in, enter the 14-digit licence or registration number, and confirm that the business name, address, licence type, products and status match the business you are dealing with. You can also verify numbers in FSSAI's Food Safety Connect app.
Verifying an FSSAI number takes two minutes and protects you from buying from unlicensed suppliers, onboarding risky kitchens, or printing a wrong number on your own packaging. Consumers, retailers, aggregators, franchise partners and lenders all use the same public FoSCoS search.
Where to verify
- FoSCoS FBO search: the public search on foscos.fssai.gov.in lets you look up licences and registrations by number
- FoSCoS licence verification page: the official verification page also shows validity information
- Food Safety Connect app: FSSAI's mobile app for consumers includes licence verification and complaints
Avoid unofficial lookup websites. They often cache old data and can show an active status for a licence that has been suspended.
Step-by-step verification
- Find the 14-digit number on the product label, menu, invoice, website or certificate.
- Open the FoSCoS search page and choose licence or registration search.
- Enter the number without spaces and complete the captcha.
- Check the business name and premises address.
- Check the licence type (Registration, State or Central) and the authority.
- Review the food categories and products covered.
- Confirm the status is active, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- Save a screenshot or PDF with the date for your records.
How to read the 14-digit FSSAI number
| Digits | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1st digit | Licence type, for example 1 for licences issued by the Central authority and 2 for State licences and registrations |
| 2nd and 3rd | State code |
| 4th and 5th | Year of issue |
| 6th to 8th | Enrolling or issuing authority code |
| 9th to 14th | Unique number of the food business operator |
A number that is not 14 digits, or whose state code does not match the supplier's location, deserves a closer look.
What each status means
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Active or valid | Licence is in force | Proceed, keep a dated screenshot |
| Expired | Validity has ended and was not renewed | Do not buy or onboard until renewed |
| Suspended | Authority has suspended the licence, for example for unpaid fees or violations | Stop transactions until restored |
| Cancelled or surrendered | Licence no longer exists | Treat as unlicensed |
| Not found | Number does not exist or was mistyped | Recheck the number, then ask the business |
Under the 2026 reforms, licences have perpetual validity, so you may see fewer expiry dates. A licence can still be suspended for unpaid annual fees or missed returns, so status matters more than the date.
Red flags
- Name on FoSCoS does not match the brand or legal entity you are dealing with
- Address is in a different city or state
- Product categories do not cover what the supplier sells you
- A registration number on a business that clearly needs a licence, for example a large importer
- The same number used by several unrelated brands
- Label shows a number but no FSSAI logo, or the logo looks altered
Verifying a supplier list in bulk
Brands, aggregators and retailers often need to verify dozens of suppliers at once. Keep a sheet with each supplier's number, verification date, status, licence type and covered categories. Recheck every quarter and whenever a supplier changes premises or products. Complianceer helps brands audit supplier compliance files and fix gaps through our regulatory advisory team.
Checking your own licence
Search your own number before printing labels or listing on a marketplace. If anything is outdated, such as products, partners or name, file a modification. If FoSCoS shows fees due, pay them before the licence is suspended.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if an FSSAI licence is genuine?
Search the 14-digit number on the official FoSCoS portal or the Food Safety Connect app. A genuine licence shows the same business name, address and products as the business you are dealing with.
What is the official website to verify an FSSAI licence?
The official website is FoSCoS at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Use its FBO search or licence verification page rather than third-party websites.
How many digits does an FSSAI licence number have?
An FSSAI licence or registration number has 14 digits. The digits encode the licence type, state, year of issue, issuing authority and the unique operator number.
Can I check FSSAI licence status by business name?
FoSCoS FBO search allows searching with filters such as state and district along with the business name, but searching by the 14-digit number is the most reliable way.
What should I do if an FSSAI number is fake?
Do not buy from or onboard the business. You can report it to the state food safety department or through the Food Safety Connect app.
Does an FSSAI licence have an expiry date in 2026?
Licences under the 2026 framework have perpetual validity, but older certificates may still show an expiry date until migration. Always check the live status on FoSCoS.